Hot T5 Fixture

joe143 · 04/08/2010, 01:16 PM

Hey everyone, got a question. This is my first tank and I've been using a coralife T5 HO setup for about 4 months. It works great but i noticed today that the fixture is pretty hot to touch. Not like burning but I wouldnt wanna leave my hand on it for a long time. Is this normal for fixtures?

rtparty · 04/08/2010, 01:55 PM

If the unit doesn't have any cooling then yes they can get warm.

Is there an acrylic shield on the fixture? How far are the bulbs from the water?

I ask because if the bulbs are at least 4 inches from the water then I would remove the acrylic shield and mount an external fan blowing on the fixture to help cool things down. That will increase output and bulb life.

joe143 · 04/08/2010, 02:08 PM

Yeah it has an acrylic shield and is right around 4 inches. I would have to measure but it has stands so its probably around 4 inches.

Thats a good idea with the fan. What about the chance of water splashing up into the bulb area though? Wouldnt that destroy the fixture?

Would it still be worth mounting a fan and keeping the acrylic shield on?

rtparty · 04/08/2010, 02:28 PM

If the fixture is around 4 inches or so off the water than splashing shouldn't be an issue. You can always just take the fixture off once a month and wipe down the bulbs and reflectors real quick with some RO water.

Adding a fan is a great idea no matter what you do.

joe143 · 04/08/2010, 08:13 PM

Interesting. Would water getting up into the bulb area ruin it at all or are these types of fixtures designed to handle water? Thanks for the replies!

Mike31154 · 04/09/2010, 08:39 PM

Have a look at the endcaps. Most T5 fixtures designed for aquarium use will have water resistant endcaps to protect them, unlike conventional fluorescent fixtures which have the contacts more or less exposed. There is a potential risk of the bulb cracking if splashed with excessive amounts of colder water when the bulb is hot. My retrofit T5 set up has been running open since I set it up and there hasn't been an issue. The endcaps are water resistant though.

Edit: Here are some photos of my set up. Note the endcap which has to be removed before the lamp can be removed. I also retrofitted 12 volt fans blowing directly on the hottest part of the lamps, the ends, since I'm overdriving them.

kam5512 · 04/09/2010, 10:08 PM

you will be fine just wipe them down every now and then... but for sure on the fan idea...

04/08/2010, 01:16 PM	#1
joe143 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 143	Hot T5 Fixture Hey everyone, got a question. This is my first tank and I've been using a coralife T5 HO setup for about 4 months. It works great but i noticed today that the fixture is pretty hot to touch. Not like burning but I wouldnt wanna leave my hand on it for a long time. Is this normal for fixtures?

04/08/2010, 01:55 PM	#2
rtparty Raise The Reef! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Utah Posts: 7,404	If the unit doesn't have any cooling then yes they can get warm. Is there an acrylic shield on the fixture? How far are the bulbs from the water? I ask because if the bulbs are at least 4 inches from the water then I would remove the acrylic shield and mount an external fan blowing on the fixture to help cool things down. That will increase output and bulb life. __________________ Ryan Click on my user name and check out my homepage! Current Tank Info: 50g Cadlights/Giesemann Spectra (250w Radium, 2 ATI Blue Plus, 2 ATI Actinic)/2 x Vortech MP10wQD/Skimz SN123/Eheim Compact 3000+

04/08/2010, 02:28 PM	#4
rtparty Raise The Reef! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Utah Posts: 7,404	If the fixture is around 4 inches or so off the water than splashing shouldn't be an issue. You can always just take the fixture off once a month and wipe down the bulbs and reflectors real quick with some RO water. Adding a fan is a great idea no matter what you do. __________________ Ryan Click on my user name and check out my homepage! Current Tank Info: 50g Cadlights/Giesemann Spectra (250w Radium, 2 ATI Blue Plus, 2 ATI Actinic)/2 x Vortech MP10wQD/Skimz SN123/Eheim Compact 3000+

04/09/2010, 08:39 PM	#6
Mike31154 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: B.C. Canada Posts: 1,555	Have a look at the endcaps. Most T5 fixtures designed for aquarium use will have water resistant endcaps to protect them, unlike conventional fluorescent fixtures which have the contacts more or less exposed. There is a potential risk of the bulb cracking if splashed with excessive amounts of colder water when the bulb is hot. My retrofit T5 set up has been running open since I set it up and there hasn't been an issue. The endcaps are water resistant though. Edit: Here are some photos of my set up. Note the endcap which has to be removed before the lamp can be removed. I also retrofitted 12 volt fans blowing directly on the hottest part of the lamps, the ends, since I'm overdriving them. __________________ Mike Current Tank Info: 77g sumpless sw with rock, sand, a few critters, fishes & polyps. Lights, pumps..... Last edited by Mike31154; 04/09/2010 at 08:48 PM.

04/08/2010, 02:08 PM	#3
joe143 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 143	Yeah it has an acrylic shield and is right around 4 inches. I would have to measure but it has stands so its probably around 4 inches. Thats a good idea with the fan. What about the chance of water splashing up into the bulb area though? Wouldnt that destroy the fixture? Would it still be worth mounting a fan and keeping the acrylic shield on?

04/08/2010, 08:13 PM	#5
joe143 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 143	Interesting. Would water getting up into the bulb area ruin it at all or are these types of fixtures designed to handle water? Thanks for the replies!

04/09/2010, 10:08 PM	#7
kam5512 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: springfield mo Posts: 59	you will be fine just wipe them down every now and then... but for sure on the fan idea...